{{Article summary text|This article discusses the installation and configuration of the e-mail client, Mozilla Thunderbird. It also provides information about several popular add-ons and extensions to the program, including EnigMail, Lightning, and WebMail.}}

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[[it:Thunderbird]]

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{{Article summary heading|Other Mozilla Software}}

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{{Related articles start}}

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{{Article summary wiki|Firefox}}

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{{Related|Thunderbird Export URLs}}

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{{Related|Firefox}}

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'''Mozilla Thunderbird''' is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness while avoiding bloat. Due to its modification with several patches, it is known on Arch Linux as '''Lanikai'''. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the Enigmail extension). Similarly to Firefox, it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.

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[https://www.mozilla.org/ Mozilla] [https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/ Thunderbird] is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness, while avoiding bloat. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the [[Thunderbird#EnigMail - Encryption|Enigmail extension]]). Similarly to [[Firefox]], it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.

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==Installation==

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== Installation ==

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To install, simply run:

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# pacman -S thunderbird

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This will install the unbranded (often called plain vanilla) Lanikai client. It can be converted to the Mozilla branding (icons, etc) by installing the [http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=34560 thunderbrand] script and running it as root:

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[[pacman|Install]] {{Pkg|thunderbird}} from the [[official repositories]].

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# thunderbrand

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More info is available in this [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=49314 thread].

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Another option is to install the mail client [http://aur.archlinux.org/packages.php?ID=10598 thunderbird-branded] from the AUR. It comes with the complete Mozilla packaging already in place.

There are a number of language packs available, if English is not your preferred language. To see a list of available language packs, try:

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$ pacman -Ss thunderbird-i18n

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====Installation====

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== Extensions ==

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=====Via addons.mozilla.org=====

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=== EnigMail - Encryption ===

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{{Note|This method won't work for x86_64, see [[#Via AUR]].}}

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[https://www.enigmail.net EnigMail] is an extension that allows writing and receiving email signed and/or encrypted with the OpenPGP standard. It relies on the [[Wikipedia:GNU Privacy Guard|GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG)]].

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The first step to setting up email encryption is to download the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG). Several packages are needed for this:

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It can be installed from [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/enigmail/ addons.mozilla.org] (e.g. through the {{ic|Add-ons Manager}}) or the [[AUR]]. Common packages are: {{AUR|thunderbird-enigmail}} and {{AUR|thunderbird-enigmail-bin}}.

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# pacman -S gnupg gnupg2 gpgme

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EnigMail can be downloaded from [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/71 here], at Mozilla's addon database. Make sure that it is installed as a Thunderbird addon and isn't automatically interpreted to be a Firefox addon. This can be done by going to Tools -> Add-ons and clicking Install, then selecting the XPI addon package. Congratulations, EnigMail is now installed. You should now restart Thunderbird.

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==== Sharing the public key ====

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=====Via enigmail.mozdev.org=====

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There are a variety of ways to distribute the public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.

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EnigMail addons that works for x86_64 can be downloaded from [http://enigmail.mozdev.org/download/download-static.php.html this] page. Select the Arch build of the addon and follow the instructions in the previous section to install.

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==== Encrypting emails ====

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=====Via AUR=====

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First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails plain text by choosing ''Options > Delivery Format > Plain Text Only'' in the new email window.

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There is an [[AUR]] package: {{Package AUR|enigmail}}.

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Once the email is finished it can be signed through the ''OpenPGP'' menu.

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=====Issues with the x86_64 version of enigmail=====

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==== Decrypting emails ====

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It is possible that Thunderbird (Lanikai) hasn't got the same build-type (Error: Linux_x86-gcc3) as the enigmail (x86_64) and won't get installed. Downloading Thunderbird in the i686 version an installing enigmail by the Add-On application works fine.

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Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking to type in the keyphrase.

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If you download Thunderbird manually, remember copying the files to {{Filename|/opt}} and creating a directory for Thunderbird. To still be able start Thunderbird from the "default location" create a file that points at {{Filename|/opt/thunderbird/thunderbird}} for example.

By default, Enigmail discloses unnecessary information in the email headers of the sent email and in the OpenPGP comment field. This information includes the fact that Enigmail is being used and which version. Both these can be disabled in the Thunder Config Editor (<code>Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Config Editor</code>)

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# nano /usr/bin/thunderbird

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To delete the email header (X-Enigmail-version) set <code>extensions.enigmail.addHeaders</code> to '''false'''.

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Write in the file:

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Counter-intuitively, to disable the the OpenPGP comment, set the <code>extensions.enigmail.useDefaultComment</code> to '''true'''.

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/opt/thunderbird/thunderbird

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Users who do this will also be interested in disabling the user-agent email header that advertises that the sender is using Thunderbird. Enable the setting <code>general.useragent.enable_overrides</code> and set <code>general.useragent.override</code> to a blank string.

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Finish with setting the right permissions and "updating" your shell.

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=== Lightning - Calendar ===

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# chmod 755 /usr/bin/thunderbird

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[https://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning/ Lightning] is a calendar extension that brings [[Wikipedia:Sunbird|Sunbird's]] functionality to Thunderbird. You can use [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/lightning/ addons.mozilla.org] or the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|lightning-bin}} to install Lightning.

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# bash

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====Creating a Keypair====

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=== FireTray - Tray icon ===

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A keypair can be created by opening Thunderbird and finding the 'OpenPGP' menu and clicking 'Setup Wizard'. The wizard will now help you create your keypair. All of the options are fairly self-explanatory and are not discussed in this article.

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FireTray is an extension that adds a customizable system tray icon for Thunderbird. It can be installed from [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/firetray/ addons.mozilla.org] or the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|thunderbird-firetray}}.

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====Sharing your Public Key====

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== Tips and tricks ==

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There are a variety of ways to distribute your public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.

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=== Setting the default browser ===

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====Encrypting your Emails====

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{{Note|Since version 24 the {{ic|network.protocol-handler.app.*}} keys have no effect and will not be able to set the default browser.}}

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First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails you wish to send plaintext. This can be ensured by going to Options in the 'New Email' window and finding Format, then clicking on "Plain-text only".

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Recent versions of Thunderbird use the default browser as defined by the [[Default applications|system MIME settings]]. This is commonly modified by the Gnome Control Center (''Gnome Control Center > Details > Default Applications > Web'') (available in: {{Pkg|gnome-control-center}}).

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Once you have chosen a recipient and title and have written your message, you can sign and encrypt the message by using the OpenPGP menu. Once that is done, simply click "Send" and your encrypted email has been sent.

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This can be overridden in Thunderbird through ''Edit > Preferences > Advanced > General > Config Editor'' by searching for {{ic|network.protocol-handler.warn-external}}.

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====Decrypting Emails====

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If the following three are all set to {{ic|false}} (default), turn them to {{ic|true}}, and then Thunderbird will ask you when clicking on links which application to use. Depending on the chosen desktop, common values include {{ic|/usr/bin/firefox}}, {{ic|/usr/bin/google-chrome-stable}}, {{ic|/usr/bin/exo-open}} (Xfce) or {{ic|/usr/bin/xdg-open}} (non-DE environments). Remember to check ''"Remember my choice for .. links"''.

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This article will not go into the details of key signing.

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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.ftp

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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.http

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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.https

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Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking you to type in your keyphrase. Do so now, and the email will be decrypted for your viewing pleasure.

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=== Plain Text mode and font uniformity ===

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===Adding a Calendar with Lightning===

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Plain Text mode lets you view all your emails without HTML rendering and is available in ''View > Message Body As''. This defaults to the [[Wikipedia:Monospace_(Unicode)|Monospace]] font but the size is still inherited from original system fontconfig settings. The following example will overwrite this with Ubuntu Mono of 10 pixels (available in: {{Pkg|ttf-ubuntu-font-family}}).

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Lightning is an extension that brings Sunbird's functionality to Thunderbird. This integrates calendar functions into Thunderbird.

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Remember to run {{ic|fc-cache -fv}} to update system font cache. See [[Font Configuration]] for more information.

An [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127 LDAP clash (Bugzilla#292127)] arises on systems configured to use it to fetch user information. A possible [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127#c7 workaround] consists of renaming the conflicting bundled LDAP library.

Revision as of 14:35, 12 February 2014

MozillaThunderbird is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness, while avoiding bloat. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the Enigmail extension). Similarly to Firefox, it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.

Sharing the public key

There are a variety of ways to distribute the public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.

Encrypting emails

First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails plain text by choosing Options > Delivery Format > Plain Text Only in the new email window.

Once the email is finished it can be signed through the OpenPGP menu.

Decrypting emails

Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking to type in the keyphrase.

Removing Information Disclosure in Email and OpenPGP Headers

By default, Enigmail discloses unnecessary information in the email headers of the sent email and in the OpenPGP comment field. This information includes the fact that Enigmail is being used and which version. Both these can be disabled in the Thunder Config Editor (Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Config Editor)

To delete the email header (X-Enigmail-version) set extensions.enigmail.addHeaders to false.

Counter-intuitively, to disable the the OpenPGP comment, set the extensions.enigmail.useDefaultComment to true.

Users who do this will also be interested in disabling the user-agent email header that advertises that the sender is using Thunderbird. Enable the setting general.useragent.enable_overrides and set general.useragent.override to a blank string.

FireTray - Tray icon

Tips and tricks

Setting the default browser

Note: Since version 24 the network.protocol-handler.app.* keys have no effect and will not be able to set the default browser.

Recent versions of Thunderbird use the default browser as defined by the system MIME settings. This is commonly modified by the Gnome Control Center (Gnome Control Center > Details > Default Applications > Web) (available in: gnome-control-center).

This can be overridden in Thunderbird through Edit > Preferences > Advanced > General > Config Editor by searching for network.protocol-handler.warn-external.

If the following three are all set to false (default), turn them to true, and then Thunderbird will ask you when clicking on links which application to use. Depending on the chosen desktop, common values include /usr/bin/firefox, /usr/bin/google-chrome-stable, /usr/bin/exo-open (Xfce) or /usr/bin/xdg-open (non-DE environments). Remember to check "Remember my choice for .. links".

Plain Text mode and font uniformity

Plain Text mode lets you view all your emails without HTML rendering and is available in View > Message Body As. This defaults to the Monospace font but the size is still inherited from original system fontconfig settings. The following example will overwrite this with Ubuntu Mono of 10 pixels (available in: ttf-ubuntu-font-family).

Remember to run fc-cache -fv to update system font cache. See Font Configuration for more information.